I don't think it's an excuse; it's a reason, at least according to them. Now the question is, is it justified? Absolutely not.

Civilians should not be harmed; it's one of the most hideous war crimes. It must be respected.

You mentioned that 6 million Jews died, and I certainly believe the Holocaust happened. But how does that justify the current ethnic cleansing, which is very visible in these maps? 

 You want to talk about ethnic cleansing? The Hamas charter is the total elimination of the Israel state. There will be no negotiation with these people, no matter how much land Israel is willing to give back. How do you not understand this? 

 The sad thing is the collective west support this shit!